[arn]

I usually use a streamer with a DAC amp for my headphones, but I would also like to get a decently compact headphone amp to be placed under the iMac. What quality solutions are available, if I want to direct all the audio (along with Spotify and Tidal) from the computer to the amp? Looking for a reasonable solution for roughly under $€1K. Thanks.

 

[tesarpa]

What headphones do you use? I'm asking because their power requirements.

 

[arn]

What headphones do you use? I'm asking because their power requirements.

Audeze LCD-2f, Sennheiser HD650, Focal Clear mg, Aeon closed X. I use RME ADI DAC 2 fs at the moment with my streamer. A bit smaller sized amp/dac would be ideal, that preferably could be powered from a USB connection behind the iMac. I just don't know what equipment I can just plug into the iMac's USB C port and expect to work.

 

[tesarpa]

Basically any DAC with USB input works with Macs. You might need USB-C to USB-B cable, as most DACs still has USB-B connector, but it's cheap thing. The bottleneck may be in power of the amplifier, that's why I asked. As you are using Audeze and Aeon planars, I'm afraid USB powered combo is not good idea due to limited power of the amplifier. I'd stick with RME

 

[arn]

Basically any DAC with USB input works with Macs. You might need USB-C to USB-B cable, as most DACs still has USB-B connector, but it's cheap thing. The bottleneck may be in power of the amplifier, that's why I asked. As you are using Audeze and Aeon planars, I'm afraid USB powered combo is not good idea due to limited power of the amplifier. I'd stick with RME

Thanks. I'll be leaving the RME for the streamer for more "serious" listening. I'll have to look into powered solutions for the iMac.